Out of the small town of Bakersfield, California, in the early nineties, came a sound. A faint whisper at first, it grew in force and intensity with time, unhindered by the yapping mouths of politicians and parents alike. It rang in their ears. It plagued their minds. It genuinely terrified them. The voice, talking in low-tuned rhythmic tones, spoke for a generation that would have no more of modern America and its leaders. A generation fed-up with lies, violence and greed from their own society. It grew and grew as more and more people realized the veracity of its claims, and adhered to its cause. The politicians grew fearful, and attempted to end its spread by censoring and denouncing. Little did they know that, six years later, that small whisper would grow into a deafening scream, a disturbingly present reminder of its own existence, and of its legions of followers...

KoRn have revolutionized heavy music as we know it (or used to know it), by injecting several different musical influences into traditional rock, from hip-hop and rap, to 70's funk music. This strange blend gives KoRn a sound of its own. The different styles involved do, theoretically, contradict themselves, but bound together by KoRn's musical savoir-faire, give the songs such atmosphere that the show-goers cannot simply sit in their seats and say "Hmmm... nice." They feel the urge to jump in the mosh pit and enjoy the music at its core, letting all of their energy flow with the tonal explosion that KoRn puts out for them. This is how KoRn wins fans with steady, unrelenting touring, giving the fans the full experience and thus winning them for life. This strategy has given KoRn a much longer life span than the passing fad. And it shows no sign of stopping.

Debuting strongly with their first, self-titled album, KoRn introduced itself bluntly to the world, featuring lightning-fast drum arrangements by David, frightening, Halloween-like guitar riffs by guitarists Munky and Head, impressive hammer-style bass lines by Fieldy, and authentically emotional vocals by Jonathan. The largely autobiographical songs written by Jonathan depicted a childhood lost, and were sung with such fierce emotion and energy, that he won instant compassion by fans everywhere.

The way KoRn achieve their peculiar sound is very different from other bands. The first major difference is the use of seven-string guitars by Head and Munky. The extra string gives the guitar a much lower tonality, allowing KoRn's guitarists a wider range of chords to execute. Not to be dominated by conformity, Head and Munky also tune their guitars in a way very different than most rock guitarists. This gives KoRn's guitar riffs a distinct feel, an almost eerie blend of hard-biting low tones and shrilling high tones. The frequent use of the Minor second, Tritone and Major seventh chords, the three intervals that most disturb the human ear, complete KoRn's guitar individuality. Fieldy's bass setup also differs from most bands. Using a five string bass tuned down to a rumbly low A D G C F, and employing a unique and amazing hammer-style/damping technique, Fieldy gives the KoRn bass lines a very rhythmic, almost percussion-like personality. It is by differing from the sludge of average bands that KoRn has gained success.

KoRn's first album went double platinum. From the hard, heart-pumping sounds of "Ball Tongue," to the slow, devastatingly emotional "Daddy," fans were mesmerized by the plethora of music and sentiments presented before them. Also featured in this album was KoRn's show-opening song "Blind," the irreverent "Shoots and Ladders", the mind numbingly fast "Divine" and the universally appealing "Need To." The whole album, in fact, was a metaphor for childhood, from the picture of a young girl on the cover, to the child's writing on the inside of the booklet, and the mocking misspelling of "corn" with a K and a reversed R. It became readily apparent to fans that what Jonathan had to say was not the usual "Oh, my girlfriend left me..." insincere vocals projected by most bands. Instead, there were the disconcertingly true tales of a man whose life was ruined by past events. The emotional ties thus formed between KoRn and their fans were total. KoRn did not, however, let this early success go to their heads, realizing that fans are the livelihood of a band. They continued touring massively, steadily earning a name in the underground rock scene.

In 1996, KoRn ventured out with their second double platinum outing, Life is Peachy, which showed no signs of faltering quality. From the insanely bizarre "Twist" to the groovy "Good God." KoRn had not failed in their mission to bring their fans great music to enjoy, surpassing their original level of quality.

1998 was a very busy year for KoRn. While spending time perfecting their third album Follow The Leader, KoRn also worked on several other projects, including their own rock festival, The Family Values Tour, their own record label, Elementree Records, and a weekly Internet program called "KoRn T.V."

In making Follow The Leader, KoRn took their time to ensure that this album would benefit from the success of both previous albums, giving Follow The Leader a crisp, higher quality new sound. This album also incorporated various guest artists from Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit and Ice Cube, to Trevant Hardson of Pharcyde and Cheech Marin. Needless to say, Follow The Leader was a smash hit. The album reached triple platinum status, the single "Got The Life" continuously played on the radio, while the "Freak on a Leash" music video went on to win two awards at the 1999 MTV Music Video Awards. The men from KoRn had accomplished the journey from anonymity to megastardom, and while some bands might have felt the urge to give in and "sell out", KoRn maintained their integrity, both moral and musical, and now, in 1999, are ready to unleash their biggest album yet to an ocean of thirsty fans.

At the time of this writing, not much is known of KoRn's new album Issues. The members have maintained a tight lid on their new project. However, for those lucky enough to attend this year's Woodstock, KoRn indulged their fans by performing two songs from their new album. What is there to say about the new songs? Everything is done right. It is a personification of KoRn's evolution, and to the trained KoRn fan's ear, one can hear all of KoRn's different musical stages. Accessible to those new to KoRn, but also, hopefully, deep enough to satisfy those of us who have been there from the start, Issues should be one of those truly memorable albums, which fans will be listening to for years to come.

And so the voice rolls on, now a deep, low laugh. For those who understand its complex jargon, it seems to say, with fearless ranting and steadfast determination:

I'm feeling mean today Not lost, not blown away Just irritated and quite hated Self control breaks down Why's everything so tame? I Like my life insane I'm fabericating and debating Who I'm gonna kick around

Right now Can't find a way To get accross the hate When I see you

Right now I'm feeling strange inside I want to slash and feed you

Right now I rip apart the things inside That excite you

Right now I can't control myself I Fucking hate you

I'm feeling cold today Not hurt just Fucked away I'm devastated and frustrated God I feel so bound So why'd I feel the need? I think it's time to bleed I'm gonna cut myself and watch the blood hit the ground

Right now Can't find a way To get accross the hate When I see you

Right now I'm feeling strange inside I want to slash and feed you

Right now I rip apart the things inside That excite you

Right now I can't control myself I Fucking hate you

You open your mouth again I swear I'm gonna break it You open your mouth again, Oh God I cannot take it

Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up! Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up! Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up! Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up!

1994-korn 1996-life is peachy 1996-no place to hide 1997-A.D.I.D.A.S. 1997-good god 1997-good god mix 1998-follow the leader 1999-freak on a leash 1999-got the life 1999-issues 1999-falling away from me 2000-make me bad 2002-untouchables 2002-here to stay 2003-take a look in the mirror 2003-did my time 2004-greatest hits 2004-word up 2005-see you on the other side

Hey you, hey you, Devil’s little sister Listening to your twisted transistor Hold it between your legs Turn it up, turn it up The wind is coming through Can’t get enough

A lonely life where no one understands you But don’t give up because the music do Music do! (x6)

Because the music do And then it its reaching Inside you forever preaching Fuck you too Your screams will wisper Hang on you Twisted transistor

Hey you, hey you, finally you get it The world it can eat you if you let it And as your tits fall off Your dress, your dress But when she’s coming through You’re in a mess

A lonely life where no one understands you But don’t give up because the music do Music do! (x4)

Because the music do And then it its reaching Inside you forever preaching Fuck you too Your screams will wisper Hang on you Twisted transistor

...

Hey you, hey you, this won’t hurt a bit This won’t hurt a bit, this won’t hurt! Says who? Says who? I’m not the timeless bitch I’m not the timeless bitch, I’m not the time! Just let me be Between you and them things!

Because the music do And then it its reaching Inside you forever preaching Fuck you too Your screams will wisper Hang on you Twisted transistor

Something takes a part of me. Something lost and never seen. Everytime I start to believe, Something's raped and taken from me... from me.

Life's got to always be messing with me. (You wanna see the light) Can't they chill and let me be free? (So do I) Can't I take away all this pain. (You wanna see the light) I try to every night, all in vain... in vain.

Sometimes I cannot take this place. Sometimes it's my life I can't taste. Sometimes I cannot feel my face. You'll never see fall from grace

Something takes a part of me. You and I were meant to be. I cheat, but for me to lie Something takes a part of me.

Feeling like a freak on a leash. (You wanna see the light) Feeling like I have no release. (So do I) How many times have I felt diseased? (You wanna see the light) Nothing in my life is free... is free

Chorus

Boom na da mmm dum na ema Da boom na da mmm dum na ema

GO!

So...fight! something on the... Fight...some things they fight So...something on the... Fight...some things they fight Fight...something of the No...some things they fight Fight...something of the... Fight...some things they fight

I'm gonna see Somehow it always seems that I'm dreaming of something I could never be It doesn't matter to me Cause I will always be that pimp that I see In all of my fantasies I don't know your fucking name So what let's

Screaming at me The only way that I can truly be free from my Fucked up reality So I dream And stroke it harder cause it's so fun to see my face Staring back at me

I don't know your fucking name So what let's fuck

All day I Dream about Sex All day I Dream about Fucking

All day I Dream about Fucking

(x3) All day I dream about sex, yes All day I dream about sex and (x3) All day I dream about sex, yes All day I dream about sex

Are you ready for a good pounding baby? (get down) Are you ready to get it on? (get down, get down) Don't pretend you're not fucking freaky baby (get down) I will spank that ass just for fun (get down on the ground)

Ass up high Make a motherfucker cry It's so good that I could die Help me stay alive

The time is right I want to feel it good tight I'm down to do this all night I'm gonna deel it up right

Ass up high Make a motherfucker cry It's so good that I could die Help me stay alive

The time is right I wanna feel it good tight I'm down to do this all night I'm gonna beat it up right

We're gonna ride I got my tongue inside and outside now Don't try to run and hide Yes it's true what they say about my kind

Are you ready for a good pounding baby? (get down) Are you ready to get it on? (get down, get down) Don't pretend you're not fucking freaky baby (get down) I will spank that ass just for fun (get down, on the ground)

Ass up high Make a motherfucker cry It's so good that I could die Help me stay alive

The time is right I wanna feel it good tight I'm down to do this all night I'm gunna beat it up right